Deoghar is witnessing an extraordinary wave of devotion ahead of Basant Panchami, as thousands of pilgrims from Mithilanchal flock to Baba Baidyanath, one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas. The air resonates with chants of ‘Baba Baidyanath Ki Jai,’ transforming the temple town into a sea of faith.
On Friday, devotees across India will worship Goddess Saraswati, but in Deoghar, the highlight will be the grand Tilak Utsav for Lord Shiva. Following the tilak and abhishek rituals, millions will immerse in celebrations with abeer and gulal. This event transcends religion, embodying the deep cultural bond between Mithilanchal and Deoghar.
Pilgrims begin arriving days in advance, with over 200,000 expected this year. Rooted in folklore, Goddess Parvati is seen as the daughter of Mount Himalaya, making Lord Shiva the son-in-law of Mithila, spanning Bihar and Nepal’s Terai. Before Mahashivratri’s symbolic wedding, these ‘sasuraliye’ (in-laws) arrive to apply tilak and offer Ganga jal.
Over 100,000 from Tirhut, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saharsa, Purnea, Katihar, Koshi, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Madhepura, Munger, and Nepal’s Terai have already filled Deoghar. True to tradition, they camp on open grounds or roadsides, believing it’s improper to stay indoors at the ‘damad’s’ (son-in-law’s) home.
Many undertake the arduous 108 km Kanwar Yatra from Sultanganj, carrying Ganga water on foot, singing Nachari and wedding songs to please Bholenath. On Basant Panchami, alongside jalarpan, they’ll offer first crop sheaf and pure ghee prasad. The festivities mark the onset of Holi in Mithilanchal.
Pre-shringar puja includes applying phulel on Baba, with tilak performed at Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Exactly 25 days later, Mahashivratri will host Shiva-Parvati’s divine marriage. District administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Naman Priyesh Lakda, has ramped up security, crowd control, cleanliness, water, health camps, and power supply.
VIP and out-of-turn darshan are banned; only speedy darshan coupons continue, with temporarily hiked fees, ensuring equitable access amid the fervor.